Visiting the Dove*s nest in the cedar at 4*15 P. M., 
young 
Doves fly 
from the nest 
on Bensen* s. 
Knoll 
J&r 
I found the two young still in ^ or rather on it, for the 
nest has long since been trampled into a shapeless platform 
of twigs. Both birds were standing erect on their legs 
(heretofore they have always crouched or squatted on their 
bellies) with heads and necks stretched up. Their erect 
attitudes and alert, wary expression, together with the fact 
that, as I approached, I could see that all the down had 
disappeared from their heads and that their plumage appeared 
to be perfected, prepared me in a measure for what followed, 
although it was still a surprise. ' r When I was within 
two or three yards of the tree, one bird started and gather¬ 
ing headway by a few vigorous strokes of the wings, which 
produced a clapping noise similar to that made by domestic 
Pigeons, it darted off with all the apparent ease and swift¬ 
ness of an old bird and was soon lost to sight behind a pine 
around which it curved sharply. The other young bird 
immediately followed, taking exactly the same course. Beyond 
the pine, behind which I lost them, was open ground for 
thirty or forty yards and on the further side of this 
pitch pine woods in which they doubtless found concealment. 
The total distance flown was fully 100 yards. Both birds 
were still rising when I saw them last. There was not the 
least hesitation or feebleness in their flight. When it is 
considered that this must have been the first time that 
they had ever used their wings (I have never known any young 
